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Hello everyone! My name is Alexandr, and on October 1, 2026, it will be exactly 21 years since my first day at Borusan Cat Kazakhstan. Throughout this journey, I have had the opportunity to work on diverse projects, discover new areas of expertise, meet outstanding people, and experience many important milestones alongside the company. When I came for my job interview in 2005, there were ten candidates. Only five of us were selected, and fortunately, I was one of them. At the time, I could never have imagined that what seemed like an ordinary interview would become the beginning of one of the most important and longest chapters of my life.
First Steps: −44°C and My First Machines
My first business trip was to the Varvarinskoye project. It was both part of my probation period and my first machine assembly project. For approximately nine weeks, we assembled equipment under severe winter conditions, with temperatures dropping as low as −42°C to −44°C. The weather was freezing, everything felt unfamiliar, yet it was incredibly exciting. It was there that I first experienced the unique atmosphere of working at Borusan. In 2006, I was assigned to the Molodyozhny project. Our mission was not limited to servicing machines; we had to build an entire operational site from scratch. We were given an empty building intended to become a Pit Stop facility. Together, we established a wash bay, maintenance area, tool room, oil storage facility, oil dispensing station, and waste oil collection system.
That same year, following an audit by Caterpillar representatives, our team earned a five-star rating in Contamination Control. It was tangible proof that our efforts had paid off.
Ormet: Building from the Ground Up
In 2008, another major chapter of my professional life began with the Ormet project in the Aktobe Region. Initially, the customer entrusted us with only part of the Pit Stop facility. We handled equipment maintenance and repairs, developed infrastructure, and implemented 5S and Kaizen practices. Over time, the customer saw the results of our work and entrusted us with the remaining part of the facility as well. At Ormet, I gradually specialized in hydraulic hose systems. I was involved in assembly, disassembly, inspections, planning, and installation activities. Over the next eight years, this project became an integral part of my life. We continued developing the service infrastructure and once again received a five-star Contamination Control rating from Caterpillar.
However, during that period I realized something important: earning five stars is only part of the job. The real challenge is maintaining the same level of order, cleanliness, and discipline every single day.
A New Era, New Challenges
In 2016, the project came to an end. We were reassigned to different projects, and I joined the Altyntau Kokshetau team. I continued working as a mechanic, but the experience I had gained over the years enabled me to look beyond routine tasks and identify opportunities for process improvement.
With the support of my managers, we began enhancing our work areas and operational processes. I still remember a phrase from Yelena Yugay that has stayed with me ever since: “If you want to achieve something in life, you cannot stay in your comfort zone for too long. You must keep moving forward.” Shortly afterward, I expressed my interest in joining the field service team. That decision opened an entirely new chapter in my career.
Underground: A Deeper Sense of Responsibility
We worked in the demanding environment of underground mining operations. It was there that I truly understood how critical workplace safety is and how important it is to take responsibility not only for yourself but also for your teammates. Component repair later became another area of responsibility. I managed numerous processes, from receiving engines, transmissions, and torque converters to handling documentation, logistics, inspections, and customer communications. Each new stage provided valuable opportunities to learn and grow professionally.
From Mechanics to Digital Technologies
In 2021, Product Link and emerging digital technologies became a central part of my work. I started working with digital systems, overseeing Product Link installations, and utilizing tools such as VisionLink.
After many years of working directly with machines, my focus increasingly shifted toward data and digital solutions. Later, I joined the Performance Management Department, where we carried out process analysis and improvement projects at customer sites. In 2024, I moved to the Equipment Management team and later joined the Condition Monitoring team, where I continue to work today.
From assembling machines in temperatures of −44°C to monitoring equipment digitally and analyzing machine condition, from workshop operations to modern information systems, this journey reflects how much my experience and expertise have expanded over the past 21 years. Yet beyond all of that, the most important part of this journey has always been the people. Managers who trusted me, colleagues who became friends, and teams with whom I overcame challenges side by side have been the most valuable part of this experience. People are what make a company truly special. That is why Borusan has become much more than a company for me. Borusan represents 21 years of my life. It means people, knowledge, friendship, trust, lessons learned, achievements earned, and a lifetime of memories.
I sincerely thank my company, every manager, and every colleague I have had the privilege of working with over the years. I am especially grateful to Mr. Tanju for giving me the opportunity to take that first step back in 2005.
Twenty-one years is a long time. Yet when I look back, I realize that the most exciting part of this story is that it is still being written.
Alexandr Vassilyev
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Alexandr joined Borusan Cat in 2005 and has been with the company for more than 21 years. Today, as part of the Equipment Operations Technical Solutions Department, he works on equipment data analysis, condition monitoring, and digital solutions. Born in Kiima village in the Akmola Region and raised in the city of Satpayev, Alexander is also actively involved in volunteer initiatives outside of work. His interests include computer technologies, visual design and editing, computerized embroidery, and sewing.